Epiphyte Tree

Last Spring I started an "epiphyte tree" for out on the deck (Lord knows what I'll do over the winter).

The glazed terra cotta planter has four drainage holes, so I covered them with masking tape and stuck pieces of 1/4" polyethylene tubing through them. I drilled two holes horizontally through the base of the driftwood and inserted two very long lag bolts to provide some lateral stability, then after positioning it in the planter, I filled it with quick-set concrete, the kind you pour in dry, then cover with water to seep in and cause it to set. The damned thing weighs about 25-30# now. Once the concrete had set (30-45 minutes), I extracted the PE tubing, so now it has drainage paths through the concrete.

I started with some tillandsias and branching neoregelias on the branches, later adding tolumnias, and more recently I added some mini-vandaceous plants (V. falcata crosses). Here is the "tree" with the the orchids added, about a month ago:

That clump of tolumnias at the base decided to bloom now - it's one of several Tolu. Jairak Flyer cultivars:

The things we do to amuse ourselves ! But interesting, and a challenge, too.
I once decided to grow all my cattleyas on pieces of tree branch. I live next to a forest ( the New Forest - new because it was created by a new king, in the year 1066 - yes, really ) and they did grow very well, but when the weather turned warmer, I just could not keep them wet enough.
But, good for trade...the orchid trade !

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